Optimization of Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide extraction process using response surface methodology and comparison of Codonopsis polysaccharides from different regions

doi:10.5246/jcps.2026.07.043

Journal of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences ›› 2026, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (7): 601-614.DOI: 10.5246/jcps.2026.07.043

• Original articles • Next Articles

Optimization of Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide extraction process using response surface methodology and comparison of Codonopsis polysaccharides from different regions

Rong Han¹^,³, Aihong Zhao¹^,^*(), Zhifeng Wang², Ming Wang¹, Youbo Zhang³^,^*()

^1. School of Life Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, Gansu, China
^2. Gansu Farming Reclamation Pharmaceutical Base Co., Ltd., Lanzhou 730300, Gansu, China
^3. State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China

Received:2026-03-20 Revised:2026-04-23 Accepted:2026-05-14 Online:2026-08-06 Published:2026-08-06
Contact: Aihong Zhao, Youbo Zhang
Supported by:
National Key Research & Development Program of China (Grant Nos. 2022YFC3501702 and 2022YFC3501705).

Abstract

Abstract:

In the present study, the extraction process of Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharides (CPs) was optimized to enhance both yield and quality. CPs from five distinct geographical origins, Minxian (Gansu), Enshi (Hubei), Nyingchi (Tibet), Pingshun (Shanxi), and Bijie (Guizhou), were systematically compared. The effects of extraction temperature, solid-to-liquid ratio, and extraction time on CP yield were initially investigated through single-factor experiments. Subsequently, response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to determine the optimal extraction conditions. CP quality was comprehensively assessed based on yield, sugar and protein contents, monosaccharide composition, molecular weight, FT-IR spectra, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The relative influence of the factors followed the order: extraction temperature > solid-to-liquid ratio > extraction time. The optimal conditions were determined to be 73.75 °C, a 1:15.62 (g/mL) solid-to-liquid ratio, and 1.60 h extraction time, resulting in a maximum yield of 21.95%. Among the five origins, CPs from Pingshun exhibited the highest overall quality. Extraction temperature emerged as the most critical factor, highlighting Shanxi Pingshun CPs as particularly superior in quality.

Key words: Codonopsis pilosula, Polysaccharides, Response surface methodology

Supporting:

Rong Han, Aihong Zhao, Zhifeng Wang, Ming Wang, Youbo Zhang. Optimization of Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide extraction process using response surface methodology and comparison of Codonopsis polysaccharides from different regions[J]. Journal of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2026, 35(7): 601-614.

Figures/Tables 10

Table 1. Standard substance information.

Table 2. Factors and levels for RSM (3×3 design).

Table 3. Response surface optimization design and experimental results.

Table 4. ANOVA for the response surface quadratic model.

Table 5. Extraction yield, sugar content, and protein levels of CPs from different regions.

Table 6. Percentage composition of monosaccharides.

Table 7. Molecular weight distribution of CPs from different regions.

References 15

[1]	Guo, L.Y.; Cho, S.Y.; Kang, S.S.; Lee, S.H.; Baek, H.Y.; Kim, Y.S. Orthogonal array design for optimizing extraction efficiency of active constituents from Jakyak-Gamcho Decoction, the complex formula of herbal medicines, Paeoniae Radix. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2007, 113, 306–311.
[2]	Liu, Y.; Ding, X.; Zheng, L.X.; Zhang, Y.; Zhou, H.L. Herbal drink formulation optimization of Trollius chinensis Bunge by sensory fuzzy comprehensive evaluation. Acta Sci. Polonorum Technol. Aliment. 2020, 19, 185–194.
[3]	Liang, W.; Sun, J.C.; Bai, G.; Qiu, D.Y.; Li, Q.; Dong, P.B.; Chen, Y.; Guo, F.X. Codonopsis radix: a review of resource utilisation, postharvest processing, quality assessment, and its polysaccharide composition. Front. Pharmacol. 2024, 15, 1366556.
[4]	Fan, Y.T.; Long, Y.; Gong, Y.S.; Gao, X.J.; Zheng, G.Q.; Ji, H.Y. Systemic immunomodulatory effects of codonopsis pilosula glucofructan on S180 solid-tumor-bearing mice. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 15598.
[5]	Xie, L.M.; Huang, Z.B.; Qin, L.; Yu, Q.; Chen, Y.; Zhu, H.B.; Xie, J.H. Effects of sulfation and carboxymethylation on Cyclocarya paliurus polysaccharides: Physicochemical properties, antitumor activities and protection against cellular oxidative stress. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 2022, 204, 103–115.
[6]	Chen, F.; Huang, G.L. Preparation and immunological activity of polysaccharides and their derivatives. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 2018, 112, 211–216.
[7]	Ke, L.T.; Duan, X.Q.; Cui, J.; Song, X.P.; Ma, W.R.; Zhang, W.M.; Liu, Y.Q.; Fan, Y.P. Research progress on the extraction technology and activity study of Epimedium polysaccharides. Carbohydr. Polym. 2023, 306, 120602.
[8]	Yang, G.; Li, F.S.; Liu, H. Effects of Codonopsis polysaccharides on immune function in mice. Pharm. Clin. Chin. Materia Med. 2005, 21, 39.
[9]	Li, G.R.; Yang, S.Y. Extraction of Codonopsis polysaccharides and their scavenging effects on active oxygen radicals. Chem. World. 2001, 8, 241–242.
[10]	Xu, A.X.; Zhang, Z.M.; Ge, B.; Pu, J.F. Study effect and its mechanism on resisting senility of PCPN. Chin. J. Modern Appl. Pharm. 2006, 23, 729–731.
[11]	Guo, X.N.; Wang, B.; Zhang, N.J.; Wang, Y.; Qi, H.Y. Effects of polysaccharides from Codonopsis pilosula on D-galactose-induced model of aging mice. J. Tradit. Chin. Vet. Med. 2014, 33, 45–47.
[12]	Liu, C.; Zhang, Y.W. Study on antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from compound codonopsis pilosula produced by different methods. Tianjin Chem. Ind. 2015, 29, 19–22.
[13]	Gong, C.Q; Zhang, J.; Zhao, J.; Xie, J.X. Preparation of CCP and effect of CCP on growth of in vivo tumors. J. Nongken Med. 2007, 29, 404–406.
[14]	Guo, X.Q.; Cai, N.; Yang, S. B Preliminary study on ultrasonic-assisted extraction of polysaccharides from Ginkgo biloba leaves. Biomass Chem. Eng. 2017, 51, 43.
[15]	Wang, W.G.; Zhao, Y.L. A novel approach to deproteinization in isolation and purification of lentinan from Lentinus edodes. Chin. Tradit. Herb. Drugs. 2003, 34, 891–895.

Optimization of Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide extraction process using response surface methodology and comparison of Codonopsis polysaccharides from different regions

RichHTML

PDF (PC)

Knowledge

Abstract

Cite this article

share this article

Figures/Tables 10

References 15

Related Articles 8

Recommended Articles

Metrics

Comments

[1]	Xinshan Ye’s team. Prof. Xinshan Ye’s team makes a breakthrough in the artificial synthesis of polysaccharides [J]. Journal of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2017, 26(3): 235-236.
[2]	Chaohai Pang, Gong Fang, Dingyong Wang. Optimization of ultrasound assisted extraction of celastrol from Celastrus monospermus Roxb. using response surface methodology [J]. Journal of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2017, 26(2): 130-138.
[3]	Wei Chen, Qin Yuan, Junping Cheng, Huinan Ge, Guorong Jiang, Rong Chen. Optimization of ultrasound assisted extraction of six major compounds from Cimicifugae Rhizome [J]. Journal of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016, 25(5): 373-379.
[4]	Li Shan, Yunzhou Fan, Yuli Wang, Hongge Chen, Chunsheng Gao, Meiyan Yang. Optimization and characterization of nimesulide bilayer tablets by response surface methodology [J]. Journal of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2014, 23(2): 89-93.
[5]	Yan-Bo Zhang, Ren-Wang Jiang, Song-Lin Li, Chun-Feng Qiao, Quan-Bin Han, Hong-Xi Xu, Ka-Lok Wong, Paul Pui-Hay But^, Pang-Chui Shaw^. Chemical and molecular characterization of Hong Dangshen, a unique medicinal material for diarrhea in Hong Kong [J]. , 2007, 16(3): 202-207.
[6]	Wang Zhan, Liu Cuiping, Fang Jinian^*. H3, An Acidic Polysaccharide from Cuscuta chinensis [J]. , 2001, 10(2): 57-60.
[7]	Hong-Bin Wang, Qin-Yue Zheng, Sheng-Chuan Sun, Bao-Yun Liu, You-An Shen, Hui-Lan Tang, Dian-Wen Ju, Jun Fang . Protective Effect of phytolacca Acinosa Polysaccharides I(PAP-I) on Hematopoiesis in Cyclophosphamide-treated and ⁶⁰Co-irradiated Mice [J]. , 1995, 4(2): 89-98.
[8]	Yun-Qing He, Rong-Zhi Li, Qi Chen, Zhi-Bin Lin, Dong Xin, Li Ma. Studies on Active Polysaccharides from Ganoderma lucidum [J]. , 1992, 1(1): 79-81.